Pipe-wrench



(N0 Mbdel.)

J. K. SHEPFY.

' PIPE WRENCH.

Patented Aug. 31,1897.

314 www %M ,6 (may IlNrrEn Star-as;

PATENT JAY K. SIIEFFY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

PIPE-WRENCH;

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 589,038, dated August 31, 1897. Application filed' January '7, 1897. Serial No. 618,228. (No model.) I

provements in Pipe-Wrenches; and I do declare the following to be a f ull,-;clear, and exact description of the invention, such. as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to'the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

The invention relates to that class of pipewrenches in which a chain is used in cooperation with a serrated jaw; and its-object is to provide a simple, durable, and strong construction whereby the chain may be used to bring the jaw firmly to the work.

The invention consists in the various parts and arrangements, as hereinafter fully set forth. 1 o m In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a central longitudinal'section of the wrench. Fig. 2 is a detailelevation of the swivel-block by means of which the chain is secured to the handle-bar of the wrench. Fig. 3 is a detail elevation of the end of the handlebar which engages the swivelblock. Fig. 4 is an end elevation of the wrench,lookingtoward the jaws. .Fig. 5 is a sidejelevation ofthe jaws.

The jaws A B are in fixed relation and diverge in V form, both jaws being bifurcated, and the jaw A having its contacting face transversely serrated. These jaws are formed integrally with a tubularshank O, which fits upon the handle-bar D. A chain E is secured to the end of the handlebar and protrudes from the end of the shank C, so as to playbetween the twomembers of each of the jaws A B, so that itmay encircle apipe, as' X, to which the jaws may be applied and be locked thereto by being caught upon suitable notches a a, formed on the back of the jaw A. The links of this chain consist of short plate-sections pivoted together, the ends of the pivotpins 6 projecting beyond the plates, so as to form studs which will engage the notches a a. The chain E 'is secured to the handle-bar by means of a swivel-block 13, transversely slot-ted at one end for the reception of the first link of the chain which is secured therein by means ofa suitable pivot-pin, and having at its other end a T-socket f, with which a T-shank formed on the end of the handlebar D cooperates, thereby forming a s'wiveled joint, so as to permit of the rotation of the handle-bar within the shank 0 without turning the chain. V

It will be seen that ,they T-shank may, if desired, be formed upon the swivel-block and the Tsocket in the .end of the handle-bar and accomplishjthe same result. This construction is so obvious that I have not deemed it necessary to show it in the drawings.

The handle'ba'r D andjshank C are in screw threaded connection, the screw-threads, however, being formedonly in the middle section of their contacting surfaces, leaving smooth contacting surfaces atea'ch end, as shown at c 0, thereby providing for ample bearing-surfaces to carry-the strain to which the wrench is subjected without throwing this strain upon the screw-threaded portion. The diameter of the section 0 of the handle-bar and of the socket of the shank C is less than the maximum diameter of their screw-threaded sec tions, and that of the sections 0 is as great as the maximum diameter of these screwthreaded sections, so that the handle-bar may be withdrawn from the shank.

The end of the bore of the shank O as it.

issues between'the jaws A B is somewhat contracted in line with the bifurcating slot of the jaws, and the second joint of the chain E is thickened by the application to the ends of its pivot-pin of suitable nuts or laggingblocks H H, which prevent this joint from entering the throat of the bore of the shank until the chain has been turned one-quarter of a revo1ution,= thereby preventing a careless operator from drawing the chain too far within the bore of the shank in using the wrench. 4 I

In using the wrench the jaws are held to the pipe with'the chain turned backwardly between the members of the smooth-faced jaw B, the chain then being turned about the pipe and drawn up as tight as possible and caught by means of its laterally-projecting studs in the notches a a. The handle-bar being now turned backwardly within the shank C, so as to draw the chain within the bore of the latter, the jaws are forced firmly to the pipe and grip it securely. To permit the wrench to be turned backwardly upon the pipe for a new grip, the handle-bar is slightly turned within the shank, so as to loosen the hold of the chain, being turned in the opposite direction as power is again applied to the wrench. This turning of the handle-bar to release and tighten the chain is so slight that the operator accomplishes it by a slight movement of the wrist and without delaying his work.

A suitable wood handle-piece, as K, is preferably applied to the handle-bar, as is usual in implements of this character.

The smooth-faced jaw 13 is of service only in applying the implement to a pipe and serves also as a bearing as the wrench is drawn backward.

I claim as my invention- 1. In a pipe-wrench the combination with a handle-bar, and a chain attached to the end of the bar by a swiveled joint, of a shank sleeved upon the handle-bar and in screwthreaded engagement therewith, and a scrrated jaw carried by the shank and having its back adapted to engage the chain.

2. In a pipe-wrench, the combination with a handle-bar, and a chain attached to the handle-bar by a swiveled joint, of a shank sleeved upon and in screw-threaded engagement with the handle-bar, the shank and handle-bar having smooth cooperatin g bearing-surfaces upon each side of their cooperatin g screw-threaded portions, and a jaw fixed upon the shank for cooperating with the chain and having its back adapted to engage the chain.

3. In a pipe-wrench, the combination with a handle-bar, and a chain attached to the end of the handle-bar by a swiveled joint, of a shank sleeved upon and in screw-threaded engagement with thehandle-bar and carrying a jaw for cooperating with the chain, the

throat of the shank-aperture being oblong in cross-section, its major diameter being parallel with the plane of action of the chain, the chain having a thickened portion near its attached end to limit its inward movement.

4. In a pipe-wrench, the combination with a tubular jaw-carrying shank, and a handlebar adapted to fit within the shank and being in screw-threaded engagement therewith, of a chain and a swivel-block attached to the chain, such block being attached to the end of the handle-bar by means of a T-shank on one of said members and a cooperating T- socket in the other of said members.

5. In a pipe-wrench, the combination with a tubular jaw-carrying shank, and a handlebar adapted to fit within the shank and being in screw-threaded engagement therewith, of a chain, a swivel-block attached to the chain, and having a transverse T-socket in one end, and a Tshank on the end of the handle-bar for engaging the socket.

(3. The combination with a handlebar, a chain attached to the handle-bar by a swiveled joint, and a tubular shank sleeved upon the bar and in screw-threaded engagement therewith, the shank and bar having cooperatin g smooth bearing-surfaces upon each side of their screw-threaded sections, of a pair of relatively flaring bifurcated jaws mounted upon the end of the shank, one of such jaws having a serrated face, hooks or notches on the back of such jaw, and laterally-projecting studs carried by the chain for engaging such hooks or notches, all substantially as described and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAY K. SIIEFFY.

\Vitnesses:

LoUIs K. GILLSON, W. S. BARTHoLoMEw. 

